The global pandemic has changed the way that many people shop. You can preorder groceries and have them delivered to your vehicle curbside without ever stepping out of the car. You can order food from your favorite local restaurant and have it delivered by the restaurant or a food delivery service such as Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats. And you can order almost anything else you’d ever need online and have packages delivered directly to your front door.
Unfortunately, as the prevalence of online shopping has grown, so has a phenomenon known as “porch pirating.” This is where people walking or driving by your home see packages on your porch and walk off with them. They may have no idea what’s in the package, but they are hoping it’s something they can use or that they can sell to someone else to make a few bucks.
There are several things you can do to protect your packages from porch pirates:
- Tracking. Track your packages, so you know when they have been delivered to your home. If you’re not home at the time, you might want to make arrangements with your neighbors to grab and secure the package for you until you can get there.
- Lockers. Some online giants such as Amazon provide you with a way to have your package delivered to a nearby location, such as a Rite Aid store, where the store’s staff secures them. You can then pick up the package at your earliest convenience by providing proof that it is your order.
- Security. Surveys show that having external surveillance cameras on your property can deter 50 percent or more of criminal activity against your home. Not only can they notify you and the authorities of illegal activity in real-time, but they can also record the perpetrators’ identities, including their vehicle information if they drive up.
- Technology. Smart doorbells are also a great deterrent to thieves. With a video camera and two-way audio capability, you can remotely talk to people approaching your home through the doorbell. So even if you’re not home, you can scare the would-be burglar away by making them aware that you know they are there.
Online ordering is a part of the new paradigm. Johns Brothers Security is ready to help protect you, your family, home, and property with a state-of-the-art security system designed just for your needs. Give us a call and let us provide you with added convenience and peace of mind.